by Liz Chandler @PurlsandPixels
Looking for a fast and festive knit? The Chunky Ghost Hat Free Knitting Pattern is a cozy, one-hour project perfect for Halloween or chilly fall days. Made with super bulky yarn and big needles, this hat is soft, spooky, and surprisingly simple. Knit one while you settle in with your favorite scary movie and a warm drink.
One time, when I was little, my dad was put in charge of Halloween costumes. He showed up to the store late, and the only thing left were clown wigs. My brother and I were terrified for all the wrong reasons, but we wore them anyway. They were itchy, plasticky, and ridiculous. This hat is for anyone who’s been there: short on time but still determined to have some Halloween spirit. 👻
Prefer to knit offline? (Download the Printable Chunky Ghost Hat Knitting Pattern)
This pattern is free to read below, but if you’d rather print it or save it for later, I’ve created a clean, ad-free PDF version for you.
- Includes complete, row-by-row instructions
- Easy to print or use on your tablet
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This chunky ghost hat has personality. Its wavy bottom edge looks like the fluttering feet of a friendly ghost, and the button eyes give it a playful face that says “boo.” It’s simple, forgiving, and perfect for beginners who want quick results without complicated stitches.
How this Chunky Ghost Hat Free Knitting Pattern is Made
This easy Ghost Hat is knit seamlessly in the round. You’ll use super bulky yarn and circular knitting needles to knit the hat from the bottom, up. When you’ve finished knitting, the hat brim will curl naturally. Just add three buttons (or felt circles) to make eyes and a little surprised mouth.
You will need to know how to:
- cast on,
- knit in the round,
- make a knit stitch,
- draw yarn tightly through remaining stitches,
- weave in loose ends on hat tops, and
- weave in the cast on tail for a round project.
Materials
Yarn
One 108-yard (3.5 ounce) skein of super bulky weight yarn* (shown in Bernat Softee Chunky yarn in the color “White”), in your choice of color.
- Baby size uses about 27.8 yards (0.9 ounces)
- One-Size-Fits-Most uses about 64.8 yards (2.1 ounces)
*Weights estimated with Bernat Softee Chunky yarn; other yarn weights may vary. Weight does not include gauge swatch.
Needles
Short Circular Needles
• 16-inch (41cm) long US No. 13 (9.0 mm) circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Notions
- A stich marker
- A measuring tape
- A darning needle
- Two matching black buttons and one smaller button (for eyes and mouth)
Gauge
7 stitches and 12 rows in stockinette stitch = 4 inches by 4 inches square. Learn how to check your gauge in this free knitting lesson.
Abbreviations
- k = knit
Instructions: Baby Size Chunky Ghost Knit Hat
(10.5-inch to 16-inch [26.67-cm to 40.64-cm] head circumference)
Use the Long-Tail Cast On method. Knit in the round.
Row 1: Cast on 20 stitches. (20 stitches)
Row 2: Join the round (taking care not to twist stitches) and k 20. (20 stitches)
Rows 3 – 21: k 20. (20 stitches) [Work should measure 6 inches at this point.]
Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. With a darning needle, draw yarn tightly through the remaining 20 stitches. Weave in ends.
On the body of the hat, arrange the two larger buttons to look like eyes and the small button to look like a mouth. Sew on with thread or yarn that matches the buttons. For baby size, try to use safety buttons, crochet black circles, or felt pieces. (Never let babies play with an item that has regular buttons; they could choke.)
Instructions: One-Size-Fits-Most Chunky Ghost Knit Hat
(16-inch to 25-inch [40.64-cm to 63.5-cm] head circumference)
Use the Long-Tail Cast On method. Knit in the round.
Row 1: Cast on 32 stitches. (32 stitches)
Row 2: Join the round (taking care not to twist stitches) and k 32. (32 stitches)
Rows 3 – 33: k 32. (32 stitches) [Work should measure 11 inches at this point.]
Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. With a darning needle, draw yarn tightly through the remaining 20 stitches. Weave in ends.
On the body of the hat, arrange the two larger buttons to look like eyes and the small button to look like a mouth. Sew on with thread or yarn that matches the buttons.
Printable Ghost Hat PDF Knitting Pattern
Care
If you use the materials called for in the Chunky Ghost Hat Free Knitting Pattern, your final product will be machine washable. To keep your Ghost Hat looking its best, hand wash or machine wash separately on delicate cycle in cold water. You may tumble dry on low heat or lay flat to dry.
🛁 Read more Knitwear Care Tips
©2025, Liz Chandler of PurlsAndPixels.
This pattern is for personal use, gifting, and charitable donation of completed items. You may also sell handmade items created using this pattern. Do not copy this pattern and distribute it. If you’d like to share the pattern, refer your friends to my website, purlsandpixels.com so they may obtain a copy.
If you find any errors or have any questions, email purlsandpixels@gmail.com and I will do my best to help.
I’d love to see your finished work! Tag your photos with @PurlsAndPixels on Twitter or Instagram.
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